Category: Finance | Title: How Old Was Christopher Reeve When He Passed Away | Tag: Christopher Reeve | Meta Description: How old was Christopher Reeve when he died, with key facts about his age, career, and legacy...
Christopher Reeve Age at Death and Key Facts
Christopher Reeve was 52 years old when he passed away on October 10, 2004, at a hospital in Mount Kisco, New York. His death was attributed to heart failure, which occurred as a complication of quadriplegia following a 1995 riding accident. At the time of his passing, he was widely recognized for his portrayal of Superman in the 1978 film and its three sequels, cementing his status as a defining screen icon of the late 20th century Forbes.
Reeve was born on September 25, 1952, in New York City, making his final age 52 years and 15 days. His career spanned film, television, and stage, including acclaimed Broadway performances and directorial work. Public records and estate filings confirm his date of birth, place of death, and the immediate medical cause, which were reported by his family and the attending medical facility New York Times.
Christopher Reeve's Career Milestones and Earnings
Reeve rose to international fame after being cast as Clark Kent / Superman in the 1978 film Superman: The Movie, produced by Alexander Salkind and Ilya Salkind. The film grossed over $300 million worldwide and spawned three sequels, with Reeve reprising the role in Superman II, Superman III, and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace. His earnings from the franchise and subsequent projects established him as one of the highest-profile actors of his era IMDb.
Beyond Superman, Reeve directed and starred in films such as The Remains of the Day and Boys on the Side, and he appeared in numerous television movies and stage productions. He also became a prominent advocate for spinal cord injury research after his accident, founding the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. The foundation has since funded millions of dollars in research and quality-of-life programs for people living with paralysis Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation.
Legacy, Estate, and Financial Impact
Reeve's estate was managed by his family after his death, with proceeds directed toward the foundation and his children's education. His wife, Dana Reeve, continued advocacy work until her own death in 2006. The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation remains one of the leading nonprofits focused on spinal cord injury, funding research aimed at improving mobility and quality of life for patients Charity Navigator.
Public records show that Reeve's net worth at the time of his death was estimated in the millions, derived from acting royalties, residuals, and investments. His legacy continues to influence popular culture and medical philanthropy, with ongoing documentaries, retrospectives, and academic studies examining his impact on film and disability advocacy. The foundation's annual reports provide updated financial data and program outcomes for stakeholders and donors.